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WALTHAM FOREST: Accusations fly over £3.4 million education blunder
THE council and its education provider are at loggerheads over who is responsible for a £3.4 million blunder.
From April 1, VT Education & Skills will take over the reposnsibility of providing education services to the borough's schools.
The multi-million pound contract will see 100 council staff, formerly of EduAction, transferring to VT.
But about 21 senior members of staff were not included in the four-year contract, meaning the council has had to plug the gap with £3.4m of taxpayers' money.
A formal investigation is expected to be launched to find the cause of the mistake.
The council insists that current education services provider EduAction is to blame because it quoted incorrect figures.
The authority's education cabinet member Cllr Chris Robbins said that the authority is "seeking recompense" from EduAction.
He said: "The job numbers originally quoted by EduAction were incorrect but as I
told you they are responsible for this error and costs."
But an EduAction spokeswoman denied this.
She said: "EduAction is satisfied that it provided all the necessary information to the London Borough of Waltham Forest."
"EduAction has not received any notice of complaint from LBWF and is therefore unable to comment further.
"We are somewhat surprised at the comments being made by the council ahead of any discussion or necessary investigation.
VT Education & Skills declined to comment on the row.
3:33pm Monday 17th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Mr Angry, E4 on 3:43pm Mon 17 Mar 08
It is irrelevent whether Eduaction or the Council are legally responsible, morally Cllr Robbins MUST ultimately accept responsibility for this appalling incompetence, after all he accepts the nice fat pay cheque for being the Portfolio Holder and unlike Eduaction is supposed to be accountable to the residents for whatever the Council gets up to with our money.
It is irrelevent whether Eduaction or the Council are legally responsible, morally Cllr Robbins MUST ultimately accept responsibility for this appalling incompetence, after all he accepts the nice fat pay cheque for being the Portfolio Holder and unlike Eduaction is supposed to be accountable to the residents for whatever the Council gets up to with our money.
Posted by: Mr. T. C. Hull, Walthamstow on 3:52pm Mon 17 Mar 08
Don't be silly Mr. Angry, NO Councillor will ever accept that they have been incompetent. Most are probably ignorant of the meaning of the word. A dose of EDUCATION wouldn't do them any harm!!
Don't be silly Mr. Angry, NO Councillor will ever accept that they have been incompetent. Most are probably ignorant of the meaning of the word. A dose of EDUCATION wouldn't do them any harm!!
Posted by: Mr Angry, Walthamstow Village des Idiots on 4:11pm Mon 17 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Mr Angry[/bold] wrote:
It is irrelevent whether Eduaction or the Council are legally responsible, morally Cllr Robbins MUST ultimately accept responsibility for this appalling incompetence, after all he accepts the nice fat pay cheque for being the Portfolio Holder and unlike Eduaction is supposed to be accountable to the residents for whatever the Council gets up to with our money.[/quote] Stop using my name you burke
Mr Angry wrote:
It is irrelevent whether Eduaction or the Council are legally responsible, morally Cllr Robbins MUST ultimately accept responsibility for this appalling incompetence, after all he accepts the nice fat pay cheque for being the Portfolio Holder and unlike Eduaction is supposed to be accountable to the residents for whatever the Council gets up to with our money.
Stop using my name you burke
Posted by: technomist, Walthamstow on 6:40pm Mon 17 Mar 08
Messrs. Angry: Please don't get annoyed with each other. There is more than enough for everyone to be annoyed about in this story about Mr Robbins' incompetence. His resignation should be accompanied by that of Mr Loakes.
Messrs. Angry: Please don't get annoyed with each other. There is more than enough for everyone to be annoyed about in this story about Mr Robbins' incompetence. His resignation should be accompanied by that of Mr Loakes.
Posted by: mdj, e10 on 11:56pm Mon 17 Mar 08
Would VT have won the contract if the correct information had been in the tender documents? Who else bid? Surely this whole thing needs to be rerun, or a losing bidder might sue, and cost us even more money. One might call this a fiasco, but sometimes accidents are so persistent that the smarter thing is to see who's benefitting from them: it's often a good test of whether they really were accidents in the first place: did VT or any competitors employ outside consultants to help draft the bid? If so, did they also work for anyone else we might consider rather close to home? This could be a Dr Foster scheme 100 times the size.
Would VT have won the contract if the correct information had been in the tender documents? Who else bid? Surely this whole thing needs to be rerun, or a losing bidder might sue, and cost us even more money. One might call this a fiasco, but sometimes accidents are so persistent that the smarter thing is to see who's benefitting from them: it's often a good test of whether they really were accidents in the first place: did VT or any competitors employ outside consultants to help draft the bid? If so, did they also work for anyone else we might consider rather close to home? This could be a Dr Foster scheme 100 times the size.
Posted by: I'm Angry Too, Chingford on 1:30am Tue 18 Mar 08
No, mdj, I'm afraid that this is just the usual Labour Council **** up, not a conspiracy.
No, mdj, I'm afraid that this is just the usual Labour Council **** up, not a conspiracy.
Posted by: Sceptic, E17 on 11:45am Tue 18 Mar 08
I agree with mdj. Money doesn't evaporate into the air: every time we lose money, someone is gaining it.
The council keeps making huge mistakes and inexplicable decisions -- not just in this case but in many others. The Dr Foster contract, the EMD cinema, the town-centre arcade site, the gallery and museum cuts, the library refurbishments. These are just a few off the top of my head. All costing a fortune, all needing lots more money poured in to try to put stupid mistakes right. Who's making the profit?
I also agree this bunch are capable of making monumental errors through sheer stupidity. But there's too much money thrown away too often. We shouldn't be shrugging our shoulders and saying "another council mess". Whether it's incompetence or something else, we need to demand answers.
Where has the money gone? Who has made a profit?
I agree with mdj. Money doesn't evaporate into the air: every time we lose money, someone is gaining it.
The council keeps making huge mistakes and inexplicable decisions -- not just in this case but in many others. The Dr Foster contract, the EMD cinema, the town-centre arcade site, the gallery and museum cuts, the library refurbishments. These are just a few off the top of my head. All costing a fortune, all needing lots more money poured in to try to put stupid mistakes right. Who's making the profit?
I also agree this bunch are capable of making monumental errors through sheer stupidity. But there's too much money thrown away too often. We shouldn't be shrugging our shoulders and saying "another council mess". Whether it's incompetence or something else, we need to demand answers.
Where has the money gone? Who has made a profit?
Posted by: Chris, Essex on 11:54am Tue 18 Mar 08
Ask the Audit Commission to find the answers.
Email: complaints@audit-com
mission.gov.uk
Telephone: 0844 798 3131 (Local rate call) or 0117 923 6757
Textphone: 0844 798 2946 or 020 7630 0421
Whilst the Audit Commission has a formal complaints process, we encourage complainants to seek to resolve their concerns with the individual concerned or their director where possible.
Report suspicious activity
Complaints and PIDA Manager
Westward House
Lime Kiln Close
Stoke Gifford
Bristol
BS34 8SR
Ask the Audit Commission to find the answers.
Email: complaints@audit-com
mission.gov.uk
Telephone: 0844 798 3131 (Local rate call) or 0117 923 6757
Textphone: 0844 798 2946 or 020 7630 0421
Whilst the Audit Commission has a formal complaints process, we encourage complainants to seek to resolve their concerns with the individual concerned or their director where possible.
Report suspicious activity
Complaints and PIDA Manager
Westward House
Lime Kiln Close
Stoke Gifford
Bristol
BS34 8SR
Posted by: Sceptic, E17 on 1:25pm Tue 18 Mar 08
The Audit Commission's performance last year was feeble. It failed to question the council even on issues where it had been given strong information by local action groups.
It's still worth reporting this to the Audit Commission but don't expect much. I'd recommend sending copies of all correspondence to other concerned groups. Ones I know about are antiscrap.co.uk, and maybe the MP Neil Gerrard, and the Standards Commission.
The Audit Commission's performance last year was feeble. It failed to question the council even on issues where it had been given strong information by local action groups.
It's still worth reporting this to the Audit Commission but don't expect much. I'd recommend sending copies of all correspondence to other concerned groups. Ones I know about are antiscrap.co.uk, and maybe the MP Neil Gerrard, and the Standards Commission.
Posted by: caroline, walthamstow on 2:21pm Tue 18 Mar 08
There are two good reasons to privatise things, from WF councillors point of view. Firstly, it pleases their party HQs and so helps their political careers. Secondly, as this pathetic blame game shows, it enables them to dodge the flak and blame any ****-ups on the contractor. I've seen it time and time again and the loser is ALWAYS the service user whether it is pupils, people wanting a safe and tidy park, households whose rubbish is uncollected, etc etc. Privatisation is often touted as cheaper but the costs tend to rise suspiciously AFTER the deal has been signed (as in this case). In fact, there is NO clear evidence that privatisation is cheaper, let alone better value. Councillors who claim privatisation is cost effective can't actually back this up with proof or evidence, and are just spouting pure political dogma that 'public sector bad, private sector good'. When local services are privatised, standards and employees pay are cut drastically, but the savings go into the pockets of the private contractors, rather than benefitting WF residents.
I for one will be voting for any candidate who promises to OPPOSE all further privatisation of LBWF services, whatever party they are from.
There are two good reasons to privatise things, from WF councillors point of view. Firstly, it pleases their party HQs and so helps their political careers. Secondly, as this pathetic blame game shows, it enables them to dodge the flak and blame any ****-ups on the contractor. I've seen it time and time again and the loser is ALWAYS the service user whether it is pupils, people wanting a safe and tidy park, households whose rubbish is uncollected, etc etc. Privatisation is often touted as cheaper but the costs tend to rise suspiciously AFTER the deal has been signed (as in this case). In fact, there is NO clear evidence that privatisation is cheaper, let alone better value. Councillors who claim privatisation is cost effective can't actually back this up with proof or evidence, and are just spouting pure political dogma that 'public sector bad, private sector good'. When local services are privatised, standards and employees pay are cut drastically, but the savings go into the pockets of the private contractors, rather than benefitting WF residents.
I for one will be voting for any candidate who promises to OPPOSE all further privatisation of LBWF services, whatever party they are from.
Posted by: Mrs Angry of E17, Walthamstow on 5:48pm Tue 18 Mar 08
What should be remembered is that EduAction were brought in to deliver education in the borough as a result of disasterous OFSTED reports on LBWF NOT as a result of privatisation.
What should be remembered is that EduAction were brought in to deliver education in the borough as a result of disasterous OFSTED reports on LBWF NOT as a result of privatisation.
Posted by: Ms Disgust, E17 on 10:32pm Tue 18 Mar 08
What do you expect from our council? Things are getting from bad, worse, worst. First the cuts in gallery/ museum, then closing libraries & destruction of books and finally this education blunder of £3.4m. What more can we expect from the Labour council? About time they step down and others more honest and trustworthy to take their place! Time for a change so step aside Councillor Loakes & Co.!
What do you expect from our council? Things are getting from bad, worse, worst. First the cuts in gallery/ museum, then closing libraries & destruction of books and finally this education blunder of £3.4m. What more can we expect from the Labour council? About time they step down and others more honest and trustworthy to take their place! Time for a change so step aside Councillor Loakes & Co.!
Posted by: artmuncher on 11:08pm Tue 18 Mar 08
As someone has pointed out elsewhere, the mess is compounded by the fact that VT is a military engineering giant. How charming that our children can now face yet more decay and suspect ethics in services, along with the decline in museum, library and entertainment provision in the borough. (See Wikipedia: 'VT Group is one of the world's largest warship manufacturers. Its military products and services include warships, logistics and training services. In 2005 military sales amounted to 80% of its total sales.')
As someone has pointed out elsewhere, the mess is compounded by the fact that VT is a military engineering giant. How charming that our children can now face yet more decay and suspect ethics in services, along with the decline in museum, library and entertainment provision in the borough. (See Wikipedia: 'VT Group is one of the world's largest warship manufacturers. Its military products and services include warships, logistics and training services. In 2005 military sales amounted to 80% of its total sales.')
Posted by: Mr Jenkins, Waltham Forest on 2:54pm Wed 19 Mar 08
What is the relationship between our senior councillors and many of the companies they are awarding contratcs? I went to the council's website today with the intention of looking at each cabinet member's "Register of Interests" but it is not there. Every other council displays them so why aren't Waltham Forest. Surely hiding the Members Register of Interest away from the public is against the law?
What is the relationship between our senior councillors and many of the companies they are awarding contratcs? I went to the council's website today with the intention of looking at each cabinet member's "Register of Interests" but it is not there. Every other council displays them so why aren't Waltham Forest. Surely hiding the Members Register of Interest away from the public is against the law?
Posted by: mr khalid, walthamstone on 4:42pm Wed 19 Mar 08
why peple complane for concil giv mony for chidren edcation? how chidren suposed lern at scool? beter speded mony kid than grops for stupit charides and wased mony
why peple complane for concil giv mony for chidren edcation? how chidren suposed lern at scool? beter speded mony kid than grops for stupit charides and wased mony
Posted by: Dave, Walthamstow on 11:08am Thu 20 Mar 08
[quote][bold]artmuncher[/bold] wrote:
As someone has pointed out elsewhere, the mess is compounded by the fact that VT is a military engineering giant. How charming that our children can now face yet more decay and suspect ethics in services, along with the decline in museum, library and entertainment provision in the borough. (See Wikipedia: \'VT Group is one of the world\'s largest warship manufacturers. Its military products and services include warships, logistics and training services. In 2005 military sales amounted to 80% of its total sales.\') [/quote] Pretty much every large company nowadays has its finger in some insalubrious pie or another.
Fill your car with petrol? Got a company pension? Buy your CDs from HMV? Wear Nike trainers? Buy clothes for your brat from Baby Gap? Then in some way or other you're funding a company that sells weapons, destroys the environment or supports sweatshop labour. Welcome to the world we now live in.
Given that neither the council nor Eduaction could run the service effectively, maybe it's worth letting this lot have a go.
artmuncher wrote:
As someone has pointed out elsewhere, the mess is compounded by the fact that VT is a military engineering giant. How charming that our children can now face yet more decay and suspect ethics in services, along with the decline in museum, library and entertainment provision in the borough. (See Wikipedia: \'VT Group is one of the world\'s largest warship manufacturers. Its military products and services include warships, logistics and training services. In 2005 military sales amounted to 80% of its total sales.\')
Pretty much every large company nowadays has its finger in some insalubrious pie or another.
Fill your car with petrol? Got a company pension? Buy your CDs from HMV? Wear Nike trainers? Buy clothes for your brat from Baby Gap? Then in some way or other you're funding a company that sells weapons, destroys the environment or supports sweatshop labour. Welcome to the world we now live in.
Given that neither the council nor Eduaction could run the service effectively, maybe it's worth letting this lot have a go.
Posted by: Walthamster on 11:51am Thu 20 Mar 08
So other councils display a Register of councillors' financial interests, but Waltham Forest doesn't? That's suspicious in itself. Could the WF Guardian look into this, please?
So other councils display a Register of councillors' financial interests, but Waltham Forest doesn't? That's suspicious in itself. Could the WF Guardian look into this, please?
Posted by: Observer on 10:13pm Fri 21 Mar 08
[quote][bold]mr khalid[/bold] wrote:
why peple complane for concil giv mony for chidren edcation? how chidren suposed lern at scool? beter speded mony kid than grops for stupit charides and wased mony [/quote] You cretin.
mr khalid wrote:
why peple complane for concil giv mony for chidren edcation? how chidren suposed lern at scool? beter speded mony kid than grops for stupit charides and wased mony
You cretin.
Posted by: sarah, sussex on 9:43am Fri 9 May 08
please could some one help me,who do i go to to make a complant about ofsted,no one is listening to me,i own a pre-school and i need to no what sort of web site to look at and to see if any one else has complaned!thanks [bold]bold[/bold]
please could some one help me,who do i go to to make a complant about ofsted,no one is listening to me,i own a pre-school and i need to no what sort of web site to look at and to see if any one else has complaned!thanks
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